This weekend we celebrated the 70th anniversary of my grandparents, Harry and Evelyn Risius. We were only missing my brother and his family, who are stationed with the Army in Germany, and 2 granddaughters from Florida. I think we're a pretty good looking group.
I was lucky enough to be raised in the same town as Grandma and Grandpa Risius. Grandma drove me to school on her way to work at the bank, and Grandpa drove me to physical therapy for 2 years. Grandpa pulled us in a sled behind the snowmobile after school, and Grandma carefully counted out raspberries to make sure we had equal amounts on our angel food cake. We saw them nearly every day.
Below is the building that once housed Risius Implement, a Case dealership. The building seemed so big when I was a kid. When Grandpa decided to retire, and Dad decided to go back to flying, my friend and I hatched a great plan for this building. We were going to make it a roller skating rink. The shop floor was smooth, and the parts bins would hold the skates and concessions. It sounded like a great idea to a 10 year old. Of course it never worked.
Below is the building that once housed Risius Implement, a Case dealership. The building seemed so big when I was a kid. When Grandpa decided to retire, and Dad decided to go back to flying, my friend and I hatched a great plan for this building. We were going to make it a roller skating rink. The shop floor was smooth, and the parts bins would hold the skates and concessions. It sounded like a great idea to a 10 year old. Of course it never worked.
It was a wonderful weekend with family. My aunt shared the story of Grandma and Grandpa's courtship. Grandma's family was questioning why a boy from Austin would waste gas money courting a girl from Owatonna (it's about 35 miles). Why couldn't he find an Austin girl? Was there something wrong with him? 70 years and many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren later, it looks like Grandpa was the smartest man in Austin.
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